How did you arrive at your current system?

I agree, but have banned myself from using the plus word. I've said before that I don't understand the congratulations thing, as you say it's just spending money and no different to a boiler, washing machine, car or whatever. Congratulations are for births, marriages, new jobs etc. Buying an item simply means that the buyer has sufficient money to buy said item. If they can buy a Statement it just means they have lots of money. I suppose if you won the lottery and bought a Statement congratulations would be in order, but it would be for the win rather than the purchase. But in a world where what Hifi you have can sometimes be seen by some as a status symbol, things can get distorted. At least nobody will congratulate me on an AudioQuest Vodka Ethernet cable I've just bought - it's more likely to be 'you idiot, they make no difference'.

Congratulations on buying the Audioquest Vodka, as previously stated by former Polish member of the forum "Everything is better with vodka"!

Sorry, I had to do that, just to be perverse!    

Solid Air posted:

I'm sort-of interested in the word 'hobby' as applied to hi fi. I'm not sure I regard it that way; for me, a hobby is something requiring my active contribution, but hi fi is really just a question of taste and money. When people on the forum congratulate others on their latest purchase, what exactly are they celebrating? It's not as if they built the hi fi themselves, they just went a shop and bought it. It's like congratulating someone for buying a new boiler.

My priority is the music. Only and always the music. The hi fi is a means to an end, and the end is the greater enjoyment of music in my home, because I love music and it makes my life better.

I disagree with the sentiment that someone "just went to the shop and bought it." For some people that may be true, but more likely than not a purchase is the result of careful thought, planning and lots of listening, not to mention some components are very hard to find at any price! In that sense it is very much a hobby for the listener. What is being celebrated is the achievement of building a system, much in the way car enthusiasts might celebrate someone buying a timing belt for a classic car he's restoring. Obviously the belt is a simple piece of rubber, but what it represents is definitely worthy of celebration. 

Huge posted:

Congratulations on buying the Audioquest Vodka, as previously stated by former Polish member of the forum "Everything is better with vodka"!

Sorry, I had to do that, just to be perverse!    

Rubbish... I strongly dislike the taste of it - to me it kills any flavours in a dish.

Adam, I actually agree with that.  It's just almost pure alcohol and water, and most of the other residual components in the spirit base you wouldn't want to drink anyway!

But it had to be done for the humour.

Naijeru posted:

...
a timing belt for a classic car he's restoring. Obviously the belt is a simple piece of rubber, but what it represents is definitely worthy of celebration. 

I'm not going to do it...
I'm not going to do it...
I'm not going to do it...

An aramid / elastomer composite toothed belt with a hardened wear cover is hardly 'a simple piece of rubber'.

Damn it...  I did it!  

Adam Zielinski posted:

Huge posted:

Congratulations on buying the Audioquest Vodka, as previously stated by former Polish member of the forum "Everything is better with vodka"!

Sorry, I had to do that, just to be perverse!    

Rubbish... I strongly dislike the taste of it - to me it kills any flavours in a dish.

Hmm !!!. What about Sledz ? Quite a comment considering your 'pedigree' Adam  Don't tell your family... 

Greetings from Ochota, W-wa 

Interesting thread - I too used to listen - head under the covers, to radio Luxembourg ( quite a lot of intereference some nights - medium wave !), and started recording music with a now medieval Grundig dictating machine.

The process through the years has made me hugely appreciate the quality of sound we now have available to us, and to just enjoy the music.

I loved some of the music then - I love some of it now + lots more !

Long may it continue

Wugged Woy posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Huge posted:

Congratulations on buying the Audioquest Vodka, as previously stated by former Polish member of the forum "Everything is better with vodka"!

Sorry, I had to do that, just to be perverse!    

Rubbish... I strongly dislike the taste of it - to me it kills any flavours in a dish.

Hmm !!!. What about Sledz ? Quite a comment considering your 'pedigree' Adam  Don't tell your family... 

Greetings from Ochota, W-wa 

Sledz is already dead so it's hard to kill. Fortunately not all Poles must like our finest produce - must be one of them then....

Greetings from Mokotów.

1972 Garrard SP25 Mk4, Teleton Amp, Keletron Speakers and went off to Uni.

1982 Linn Sondek

1983 Meridian 101-104-103D

1984 DMS Briks    using my "Married Man's" tax rebate - yes we got a tax allowance in "olden days"

1990s two daughters & some NACA4

2000s Linn Karik-Numerik, Kudos, Kairn, Aktiv-Dirak, LK280s, PMS Briks....plus a couple of small Meridian active systems and the start of a Meridian 5.1 Digital Theatre system

...and so it stayed (and apart from the SP25 & Keletrons, it's all still here!)

2012 house rebuilding work, and a new "study" for me, and obviously a study needs a hifi - so "hey, I've never had a Naim system, so why not pick up a modest one, probably CB".  Cobbling together some unused old bits and pieces and knocking up a few cables resulted in a quite tidy system in the study of

Sony DVD, Meridian 101-104-103D, NACA4, Kans

2013          Sony DVD replaced by CD3.5-Flatcap, and moved the Sondek from the Briks system in the lounge to the study (although it does go back and forth as the mood takes me)

Meridian 101 replaced by NAC102-NAPSC-Flatcap (borrowed from CD3.5), Meridian 104 replaced by NAT03, still using the Meridian 103D driving Kans

and then the train came off the rails..........SBL Mk 2s!

So a Hicap arrived for the 102 and the Flatcap was returned to the 3.5, and the 103D was replaced by a NAP250 for Xmas.

So by the end of 2013, the Sony DVD, Meridian 101-104-103D, NACA4, Kans has metamorphosed into:

Sondek-Lingo-Zeta-AT OC5, NACD3.5-FC, NAT03, NAC102-NAPSC-HC, NAP250, NACA5, SBLs         all "olive" naturally.

2014       getting complaints from Madame about loud music late at night, so a Headline appeared (for my Senn 650s), powered by the NAPSC borrowed from the 102. 

The NACA4 was then replaced by NACA5

I then took the "in for a penny, in for a pound" approach and decided to go towards an active system - all the other systems in the house are active/Aktiv. So the HC on the 102 was replaced by a Supercap (a "significant birthday" pressie) . I accepted that a SC on a 102 could be considered overkill, however I was looking to the future. The HC went to the Headline and the NAPSC was returned to the 102.

Final arrival for that year was a NAXO + Hicap for Xmas.

2015 dawned with Sondek-Lingo-Zeta-AT OC5, CD3.5-FC, NAT03, 102-NAPSC-Supercap, NAXO-Hicap, 250+NACA5 (trebles), M103D+NACA4 (mid-basses), SBLs, Headline-Hicap, Senn 650s

and ended with Sondek-Lingo-Zeta-AT OC5, CD3.5-FC, NAT03, 102-NAPSC-Hicap, SNAXO-Supercap, 2 x 250, 2 x NACA5, SBLs, Headline-Hicap, Senn 650s

2016 has been quieter with the only change being the CD3.5-FC being replaced by CDX-XPS. The CD3.5-FC moved to the conservatory system (Meridian 101B, 104, M2s), where it replaced an ageing Arcam Alpha 8, and thereby winning plaudits from Madame - what is known in the trade as "A Result" LOL.

And so today we end up with...

Sondek-Lingo-Zeta-AT OC5, CDX-XPS, NAT03, 102-NAPSC-Hicap, SNAXO-Supercap, 2 x 250, 2 x NACA5, SBLs, Headline-Hicap, Senn 650s

and jolly fine it sounds!

hello all - have been lurking around quietly for a few years and decided recently to join in order to do some component research (another story). anyway background is I live in asia atm and have been doing the dance for about 2 decades. this question intrigued me deeply as it brought back many memories (not too many gd ones i'm afraid) esp regarding the mistakes I have made and thinking wistfully - if I only knew then what I know now !

the start was raiding used bins at goodwills and charity shops (went to school in the US) and finding old speakers and very vintage standalone box with tape n  amps in-one made me popular in the dorm. I really started paying attention when I began to work, first system in the late 80's was a Marantz integ amp, older arcam cdp and used b&w speakers. things were swopped for differing things over time (many times foolishly and I believed what sales people and magazines said blindly). I knew the sound I was after but had not enough knowledge to describe it to anyone so definitely my loss financially then. the brands I swopped around were the gamut of mostly mid-fi stuff.

was sent to London to work for several years and only there could I indulge in my passion fully and hence learn about the hifi world. heady days back then. given the lack of variety then (late 90's/ely 2000s) and a very small used market at home, I decided to buy while I lived In the uk and luckily when my stint was over I could bring a fair bit back duty free. I went thru big systems and small rigs always trying to tweak the set for my own tastes and feel am fairly close now after so long. I could try n list out what I had/have but it would bore all to death anyway. suffice it to say that in a way, I arrived at the system I have now thru happenstance and a lot of "pain" ........... here endeth my story (FWIW).

I bought a Uniti 1 in 2012 along with a uniti serve.and very happy I was too. All my CDs ripped and sounding great. Superb sound with wonderful iPad app.

Two years later I stumbled across the forum and became dissatisfied with my lovely system. I simply never used the CD player and wanted more welly.

I discovered the sage advice of HH and wanted to be like him. So goodbye Uniti and hello Superuniti.

Then I got the first 250DR in the Southern Hemisphere which really made the SU sing. In fact I beat HH to the draw there! Quite  chuffed I was, but then a 272, Fraim and dedicated spur followed. Sonic heaven! My ovators sang!

Currently awaiting a windfall from somewhere, anywhere, to get my Xpsdr. Until then, a very happy camper. 

Don't be too like me, KC,  we don't want you getting a fractured skull. An XPSDR would be nice though, and it doesn't hurt. Well, only your wallet. 

I promise I will keep as safe as I can. I am also a cyclist but of the mountain biking ilk. I think going down a narrow single track at 30 km an hour in the bush is much safer than the city streets. My orthopaedic colleagues completely agree that trees and rocks are safer than elderly drivers! 

I certainly don't know of any tree that's been convicted of a dangerous or reckless action!  

At the risk of diverting the thread how's it going HH?

By complete accident!! I was looking through the classified on an Internet selling site , I came across a very vague ad , something along the lines of "Naim system" amplifier , integrated amplifier , meridian cd and two speakers ,,,,,, that's it vary vague and intriguing, I rang the ad enquires as to what the model numbers were , the reply was a little confusing and I was quoted various model numbers from an amplifier owners manual ,which as you know covers various models , I was told there was no make on the speakers , so I made arrangements to view the system and drove the hour and a half to see it , now from my conversation on the telephone with the seller , I expected to be viewing a 92/90 ,with a tuner I presumed a nat03 and a meridian CD player (didn't know what series) and some unknown speakers , and two other parts which I had no idea what they might be , I thought nothing spectacular but a way for me to try a Naim system 

when end I arrived imagine my surprise , nap 250 , nac72 , nat02 . It got better , walnut Sbl , and a meridian 602 transport , the two unknown units were hicap and a meridian 606 dac . All up and working but very very dusty , needless to say I purchased it all.

the units have all been owned from new , I have all the manuals and cabling and none of it has ever been serviced since purchase in 1995 , underneath the dust everything has turned out to be in mint condition , the 250 will be going off to Salisbury next week as there is some distortion , the hicap and 72 will be looked at when I get the 250 back,  it genuinely feels like Christmas at the moment.

My first Naim was 92/90 plus all the other stuff.  I had no idea but was fascinated for 2 years with it.  My dealer said if "I wanted to upgrade..." and I thought NEVER , ha! a year later I bought an 82 with matched HiCaps from a man in San Diego and boy was that a worthwhile drive. A year later I had a preloved 300, I loved it all the more.

I just have one concept for security, put the same amount in your retirement fund and invest wisely. 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

At the risk of diverting the thread how's it going HH?

Thanks for asking, Lindsay. I'm feeling a lot better than I was, and the hearing has returned slightly in my right ear. I'm seeing the ENT consultant next week to check progress. I'm still dizzy and confused and incredibly tired, and am under strict instructions to go to bed every afternoon for a complete rest. Nobody has any idea when or if I can return to work, and it's highly unlikely to be this side of Christmas. 

We are now pursuing a claim for personal injury and loss of earnings and are waiting to see if the insurers accept liability - if not we have to go to court. 

I can't drive for at least six months and am barred from riding my lovely new Felt bike (paid for by the insurance) because I'm likely to fall off. Hopefully my disabled person's bus pass is on its way, which will be really helpful. 

It's funny how life can change in an instant, but it could have been worse (Hilary was rushed to the hospital in a police car with flashing lights and sirens because they thought I was going to die) and strangely I feel completely happy and content. I think it's the relief to be alive and realising how lucky I am. 

Now, back on topic. 

Great thread some really interesting posts so far,  as a post script to my own post I added a HiLine to my ND5/202 it replaced an AR Sound Lunar which for the money is a great interconnect but the HiLine was in another league altogether and produced the most notable change just by changing a cable since I changed Naca 4 for Naca 5.  I have been on the look out for an older 282 (a new or nearly new one is out of reach at the moment) for the best part of 6 months and it was really, really nice to get that kind of improvement within my existing system.   My main source always has been a record player with the streamer being used mostly for convenience so the HiLine gave it a real boost short of adding a psu (which would make no sense financially) it is as much as I can do without upgrading to an NDX but I have to say until then and even if it never happened I am very, very happy with my current system and could live with it as is.

Bought a detached house a year ago having a pretty large living for local standards and my old mid-fi system could not fill the room with decent music. So I was open for a change.

On a free Saturday afternoon I had some time left and entered a audio shop. I was interested in Cambridge + B&W Speakers. We were passing the Naim stuff on our way to Cambridge and all the guy did was opening a cd-door of a Naim Uniti.

When one sees this for the first time, it is quite strange. The word Ideosyncratic popped up in my mind.

Then I bought my B&W CM1's and started to figure out what Naim exactly was.

I like the brand for its conservative approach, solid cases and good music.

I got a budget from my wife, she allowed me to spend 2% of my year income on audio stuff without interfering in the process.

So I bought a Supernait (pre loved), connected a CD5i and a ChromeCast and that's my main system currently.

Thinking of NDX, or a poweramp + speaker upgrade and all the arguments / discussions I need to have for that.

Money is there, but apparently reserved for new curtains and an extensive holiday, school fund, new bags, new floor ...

intothevoid posted:

Crikey, this has been a real memory test 

In hindsight there have been more changes over the years than I realised. No wonder the CFO gets exasperated!

It's been a slow burn, culminating in a rush of activity in recent times. I've highlighted each component that changed at every step. All dates are approximate 

 

1982 - Sansui SR-222 Mk2, Sony TA-333, bell-wire, Goodmans no-name speakers - the only time I ever had a vinyl-based system. 

1989 - Arcam Alpha 5+ cd, NAD 3225PE, QED 79 strand, Mission 760, atacama SE24 - my first 'proper' hifi

 1999 - Arcam Alpha 5+ cd, NAD C370, QED 79 strand, Mission 760, atacama SE24 - beefed up the amp 

2000 - Arcam Alpha 5+ cd, NAD C370, Nordost SuperFlatline, KEF Concerto 2 - moved house so bigger speakers for a bigger room

 2005 - Rega Jupiter cd, Rega Cursa 3 pre, Rega Maia 3 power, Atacama Equinox rack, Nordost SuperFlatline, Kef Concerto 2 - my first 'serious' hifi 

2009 - Sonos ZP90, Naim Supernait, HiCap, Powerlines, Atacama Equinox rack, NACA5, Kef Concerto 2 - dispensed with cd format and immersed myself in to streaming

 2010 - Sonos ZP90, Naim Supernait, HiCap, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, NACA5, Kef Concerto 2 - a proper rack

2011 - Sonos ZP90, Naim Supernait, HiCap, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, NACA5, Anthony Gallo Ref3.1 - very special speakers 

2012 - Naim NDX, Naim Supernait, HiCap, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, NACA5, Anthony Gallo Ref3.1 - big investment in streaming upgrade

Bah! not at all happy with it, so a big change... 

2014 - Naim UnitiQute, Teddy Pardo DAC-VC, Teddy Pardo MB100 monoblocs, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, TQ Black, Anthony Gallo Ref3.1

OMG! What did I do??! Back to the fold...

2015 - Naim NAC-N272, Teddy Pardo MB100 monoblocs, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, TQ Black, Anthony Gallo Ref3.1 - Bliss 

2015 - Naim NAC-N272, Naim NAP300, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, TQ Black, Anthony Gallo Ref3.1 - An opportunity too good to miss 

2016 - Naim NAC-N272, Naim XPS-DR, Naim NAP300, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, TQ Black, Anthony Gallo Ref3.1 - adding refinement

Who knows what 2017 will bring 

 

Well..., why wait 'til 2017? 

2016 - Naim NAC-N272, Naim 555PS-DR, Naim NAP300, Powerlines, Naim Fraim, TQ Black, Anthony Gallo Ref3.1